GATE CS 2026 Set 1 Q.34: Functions, Recursion, Scope and Storage Classes

Consider the following program in C:

#include <stdio.h>

void func(int i, int j) {
  if(i < j) {
    int i = 0;
    while (i < 10) {
      j += 2;
      i++;
    }
  }
  printf("%d", i);
}

int main() {
  int i = 9, j = 10;
  func(i, j);
  return 0;
}

The output of the program is _________. (answer in integer)

Note: Assume that the program compiles and runs successfully.

Your answer

Official answer and solution

Official answer: 9
From: Official GATE 2026 answer key

Solution

Track the block scope of the inner variable int i = 0; declared inside the if statement versus the formal parameter i of func.

When func(9, 10) is called, the formal parameters are i = 9 and j = 10. Since 9 < 10, the if block is entered. Inside the if block, int i = 0; declares a new local variable i whose scope is restricted to the if block, shadowing the parameter i. The while loop increments this inner i from 0 to 10. Once the if block ends, the inner i goes out of scope, and printf("%d", i); prints the formal parameter i, which still has its original value 9.

Final answer

Common trap

Printing 10 by overlooking the int declaration in int i = 0; inside the if block.

The answer is the one in the official GATE answer key. The solution is this site's own explanation.

Source

Paper: GATE 2026 Computer Science and Information Technology - Session 1 (CS1)
Question: 34 of 65
Section: Computer Science and Information Technology

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